Members of the new administration watched on through windows as county council staff arriving at work voiced their support for a group of Pride flag-waving protesters assembled outside.

Around 40 demonstrators covered the gates and steps of County Hall in Pride flags on Tuesday morning and handed out more than 100 rainbow stickers to employees, who frequently told them "we support you".

The group was made up of locals and councillors (Image: Henry Durand)

The protest - which consisted of "concerned members of the community" as well as Green and Liberal Democrat councillors - marked the latest flashpoint in the so-called "Rainbow Rebellion".

This refers to a growing defiance among council staff since Reform took control of the authority in May.

They are said to be unhappy with a number of policy initiatives, including the decision to no longer fly the Progress Pride flag from County Hall.

The party has criticised Pride as a politically left-wing movement which public bodies should not fund or promote.

Members also see it as a vehicle for gender ideology - the heavily contested idea that the gender which someone identifies as should take precedence over their biological sex.

Reform councillors watched on through windows (Image: Henry Durand)

But some council staff disagree and have been wearing Pride badges and placing rainbow borders on their computer screens in subtle forms of protest.

But until now, Reform has attempted to play down reports about staff concerns, insisting there is no "fractured" workforce and that most have reacted positively to the new administration.

However, the scenes at Martineau Lane on Tuesday morning suggest the apparent rebellion shows no sign of going away.

The group estimated that more than 100 employees took rainbow stickers on their way........

© Norwich Evening News